At the 2017 Geological Society of America Annual Meeting (in Seattle, WA, October 20-25, 2017), UNAVCO in collaboration with OpenTopography will be offering a pair of one-day introductory short courses on High Resolution Topography and 3D Imaging. The Friday course will focus on terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), while the Saturday course will cover structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry. Details on the courses are below and on the GSA Short Course and UNAVCO short course websites.

These courses typically fill to capacity, so register early if you are interested in participating.

Abstract: This one-day course will provide faculty, students, and professionals with an introduction to Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS—a.k.a., ground-based lidar) for research and education. TLS provides high-resolution three-dimensional images of geologic features and has emerged as a powerful tool for applications ranging from outcrop mapping to analysis of earth-surface processes. The course will focus on TLS technology, data collection, processing and analysis, and examples of science and educational applications. A combination of lectures and hands-on demonstrations of TLS equipment and data processing will be used. Limited financial support is available for students (see the UNAVCO Short Course Series page). This course can be taken alone or together with "High Resolution Topography and 3D Imaging II: Introduction to Structure from Motion (SfM) Photogrammetry" (course #513) for an introduction to 3D imaging technology that compliments TLS.

Abstract: Structure from Motion (SfM), a photogrammetric technique that uses overlapping images to construct 3D surface models, is quickly emerging as a valuable research and education tool in geodesy, geomorphology, structural geology, and related disciplines. Images can be collected with a standard consumer-grade camera, making SfM a low-cost tool that compliments other 3D imaging technologies, such as terrestrial and airborne laser scanning (LiDAR). SfM can be collected from a hand-held camera or an airborne platform such as an aircraft, tethered balloon, kite, or UAS (unmanned aerial system), enabling 3D imaging of features ranging in size from decimeters to several kilometers. This one-day course will provide faculty, students, and professionals with an introduction to SfM technology, data collection and processing, and examples of science and educational applications. A combination of lectures and hands-on demonstrations of SfM equipment and data processing will be used. This course can be taken alone, or together with "High Resolution Topography and 3D Imaging I: Introduction to Terrestrial Laser Scanning" (course #502) for an introduction to 3D imaging technology that compliments SfM.